Community health workers and COVID-19 in a Brazilian state capital

Abstract

Community health workers (CHWs) are the main bridge between health services and the community, and therefore play a vital role in the COVID-19 response. The aim of this study was to determine the COVID-19-related health status of CHWs, their basic knowledge of the disease and the role they played in the pandemic response in 2020. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with CHWs working in Campo Grande between December 2020 and January 2021. The data were collected using an electronic questionnaire. Around 40% of the sample reported at least one risk factor for COVID-19, 44% had experienced at least one COVID-19 symptom, and 76% had experienced symptoms of mental suffering during the first year of the pandemic. Mental suffering was associated with the onset of flu-like symptoms after the start of the pandemic and changes in work processes. Knowledge gaps were observed, mainly related to forms of transmission and disease prevention. In view of the uncertainty about how long this health emergency will last and the vital role CHWs play in the Brazilian Health System, health managers and society need to pay greater attention to these professionals in order to improve the effectiveness of the country’s COVID-19 response.